New crime-busting app can help police identify possible criminals

The Facewatch app shows people the police want to speak to in connection with low level crime

Police officers want people to download a crime-busting smartphone app to help them identify possible criminals.

Thames Valley Police began uploading pictures of unidentified people they wish to speak to in connection with low-level crime onto the Facewatch app on Monday.

Users who recognise any of the photographs can pass the identity of the individual to police.

Chief Inspector Colleen Lavery, from Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships, said: “The Facewatch app gives members of the public the opportunity to see images of people police would like to speak to in their neighbourhood.

“If they recognise anyone, they can choose to submit information, in confidence or openly, via their smartphone directly to the police by clicking ‘Identify’. We hope residents in the Thames Valley will download the app to help us reduce crime and keep their communities safe.”

The app works on any smartphone, is free to download and the images are searchable by postcode.